Beaver hunt in Utah, literally

[tuffcity]

does castor bring in more dogs presumably

Well, it's an attractant and most dogs love to sniff things. They won't last long in a 330 and unless the dog owner is right there and knows how to open one without trap pliers it won't be a good outcome. More of a positive PR thing if you don't catch people's pets.

I used the skinny branches because that's what they were eating. The raft/trap holder was from a poplar they had knocked down and I just cut it into the sizes I needed with a chainsaw.

I had watched them cruise the shore line in the evening so that's where I tethered the raft. FWIW, they don't end up on my dinner table- find they are more useful as wolf and lynx bait ( I keep the fur).

 

[Axlrod]

A buddy I hunt with cooks them at camp every year. Tacos or stew, cooks the meat in a crock pot. It's pretty good, kind of like shredded beef when he's done. He watched a youtube vid on how to cut them up & remove tendons and such.
He started out trapping for landowners that complained to the F&G. And he could usually get permission to later hunt on their land.

 

[ProStaffSteve]

Well, it's an attractant and most dogs love to sniff things. They won't last long in a 330 and unless the dog owner is right there and knows how to open one without trap pliers it won't be a good outcome. More of a positive PR thing if you don't catch people's pets.

I used the skinny branches because that's what they were eating. The raft/trap holder was from a poplar they had knocked down and I just cut it into the sizes I needed with a chainsaw.

I had watched them cruise the shore line in the evening so that's where I tethered the raft. FWIW, they don't end up on my dinner table- find they are more useful as wolf and lynx bait ( I keep the fur).

10-4 on the dog trapping, its frowned upon. It’s also part of the reason I’ve held off on coyote trapping.

You sound like a pro, so I appreciate the advice. I think step one is get my hands on 3 330s and start putting in some due diligence. Glassing & hiking. I have some great ideas of where to hit in the spring where I see em swimming all over the place. To start on some damage control beavers is the move. When I buy the 330 “con-a-bear” is there a top recommended set of trap pliers or do they all do the same thing?

 

[ProStaffSteve]

A buddy I hunt with cooks them at camp every year. Tacos or stew, cooks the meat in a crock pot. It's pretty good, kind of like shredded beef when he's done. He watched a youtube vid on how to cut them up & remove tendons and such.
He started out trapping for landowners that complained to the F&G. And he could usually get permission to later hunt on their land.

Hhahahaha I have a dream of showing up to my boundary water camping area trip and either having beaver with me or ideally (if legal) trapping one near camp. Sounds like a great last evening meal when people are sick of fish & MRE

 

[mtnrunner260]

Montgomery Fur Supply in Ogden would be a good place to get supplies

 

[Billy Goat]

If you are going to be messing with 330's carry some rope or paracord on you at all times with them, learn how to release them one handed.

Pliers can end up out if reach, but you can retract the springs with a cord once you learn how.


This comes from someone who ended up with 2 thumbs in a foothold.

 

[Reburn]

If you are going to be messing with 330's carry some rope or paracord on you at all times with them, learn how to release them one handed.

Pliers can end up out if reach, but you can retract the springs with a cord once you learn how.


This comes from someone who ended up with 2 thumbs in a foothold.

Trust me if you catch yourself in a 220 you wont soon forget. 330 im sure is much worse. I havent been caught in a 330 thankfully.

 

[tuffcity]

Yes, it pays to stay focused when setting 330's.

When I buy the 330 “con-a-bear” is there a top recommended set of trap pliers or do they all do the same thing?

I think they're all pretty much the same. The last one I bought (about 6 years ago) was from the bargain cave at Cabelas. I prefer the style that locks. My "go-to" in a 330 is the Belisle, top quality and they have good safeties on the springs that don't fall open if you turn the trap upside down. I don't use footholds, just snares and body grippers.

Another need to have is an external trap safety.

It's the last thing comes off after the trap is set and the spring safeties are released.

As @Billy Goat said, learn how to release yourself with one hand and length of cord or rope.

 

[ProStaffSteve]

Yes, it pays to stay focused when setting 330's.



I think they're all pretty much the same. The last one I bought (about 6 years ago) was from the bargain cave at Cabelas. I prefer the style that locks. My "go-to" in a 330 is the Belisle, top quality and they have good safeties on the springs that don't fall open if you turn the trap upside down. I don't use footholds, just snares and body grippers.

Another need to have is an external trap safety.

It's the last thing comes off after the trap is set and the spring safeties are released.

As @Billy Goat said, learn how to release yourself with one hand and length of cord or

Trust me if you catch yourself in a 220 you wont soon forget. 330 im sure is much worse. I havent been caught in a 330 thankfully.

This comment made me roll with laughter but now that you mention it, sounds terrible. The 220, was it worse than say jumping a hornet nest?

 

[Reburn]

This comment made me roll with laughter but now that you mention it, sounds terrible. The 220, was it worse than say jumping a hornet nest?

Different but as bad.

 

[Drenalin]

That’s a mistake, no way dog of any kind is a move. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve eaten and weirdest thing you’ve liked? I hit squirrel, bunny, and gave as second try to cat fish this year. Learned to love em’ all!

There is nothing even remotely weird about any of those foods. Except coyote, obviously.

 

[TSAMP]

This comment made me roll with laughter but now that you mention it, sounds terrible. The 220, was it worse than say jumping a hornet nest?

If we're in a safe space here. I once had a 110 go off on my hand. More shock than pain, however upon closer Inspection one of the trigger wires ended up going through my thumb.

 

[nodakian]

My brother had a 330 snap on his arm. It was the only moment he was glad his arm was in a plaster cast, and he figured he was lucky because it was an old trap. A brand new one probably would have smashed the cast. He was able to use his tongs to escape.

 

[Smokedhog]

Beaver trapping is an easy one to get in to and is a lot of fun. I don't know the dates where you are but our spring beaver season is when they are absolutely the easiest to catch. Castor mounds will make them stupid.

I also want to reiterate the importance of getting a pair of safeties, I prefer the clothes pin type, and carrying cord to get yourself out if going alone.

Just be warned, it gets addictive.

Also start thinking now about how to get them out. It doesn't seem bad to carry the traps in until you realize you are a mile out and just caught two or three 50 pound beavers. Then you start to question life decisions.

 

[Jstumbaugh]

Beaver trapping is an easy one to get in to and is a lot of fun. I don't know the dates where you are but our spring beaver season is when they are absolutely the easiest to catch. Castor mounds will make them stupid.

I also want to reiterate the importance of getting a pair of safeties, I prefer the clothes pin type, and carrying cord to get yourself out if going alone.

Just be warned, it gets addictive.

Also start thinking now about how to get them out. It doesn't seem bad to carry the traps in until you realize you are a mile out and just caught two or three 50 pound beavers. Then you start to question life decision

Jet sled is the way to go there. Been there.

 

[ProStaffSteve]

Beaver trapping is an easy one to get in to and is a lot of fun. I don't know the dates where you are but our spring beaver season is when they are absolutely the easiest to catch. Castor mounds will make them stupid.

I also want to reiterate the importance of getting a pair of safeties, I prefer the clothes pin type, and carrying cord to get yourself out if going alone.

Just be warned, it gets addictive.

Also start thinking now about how to get them out. It doesn't seem bad to carry the traps in until you realize you are a mile out and just caught two or three 50 pound beavers. Then you start to question life decisions.

Love the safety advice everyone! Not to be slept on check out this thread for a great laugh! :https://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/threads/ever-catch-yourself-in-a-trap.91048/

Already thinking that when I return to MN in the spring would be a better time to run a line. I have leads on some good swamp areas and some private land/better understanding of public.

That being said Sunday I’m hitting Ogden Trapper Supply previously recommended in Utah as they came up in this thread. If they look to pricey I’ll go online otherwise I love supporting local business. Regarding packout of beaver, I’m ambitious and workout like an addict. I look forward to a challenge, it will make it more enjoyable

 

[ProStaffSteve]

Beaver trapping is an easy one to get in to and is a lot of fun. I don't know the dates where you are but our spring beaver season is when they are absolutely the easiest to catch. Castor mounds will make them stupid.

I also want to reiterate the importance of getting a pair of safeties, I prefer the clothes pin type, and carrying cord to get yourself out if going alone.

Just be warned, it gets addictive.

Also start thinking now about how to get them out. It doesn't seem bad to carry the traps in until you realize you are a mile out and just caught two or three 50 pound beavers. Then you start to question life decisions.

Is it a crime to take the meat and leave the hide works with elk & deer. Jk of course, I want them both equally